Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a bizarre claim on Wednesday as he responded to US Secretary of State John Kerry's anti-settlements speech.

"Israel is the only place in the Middle East where Christians can celebrate Christmas in security and peace and happiness," Netanyahu said.

Really? While it is true that Christians have been attacked in some parts of the Middle East (as have Muslims and other minority religions), Muslim-majority cities all over the region went all out for Christmas. 

Many Muslims love the holiday just as much as Christians. 

Lebanon's Tripoli is a great example

And so is Lebanon's southern city of Tyre

Here's a look at elaborate Christmas decorations in Dubai

And Abu Dhabi didn't hold back one bit

Amman in Jordan took "deck the halls" to a new level

And Christmas decorations popped up in Qatar as well

In fact, while many Muslim-majority cities throughout the Middle East were happily decking the halls and celebrating the Christian holiday, leading Jewish Rabbis in Jerusalem have been waging a war on Christmas trees.

Senior Israeli rabbis sent letters to dozens of Jerusalem hotels warning them against erecting Christmas trees, as it's "forbidden" under Jewish religious law, according to Al Jazeera.

The Israeli government has also routinely restricted the movement of Palestinian Christians wishing to visit family members over the Christmas holiday. They are required to register for special permits, which are given out in limited quantities.

But Israel is the only place Christians can celebrate the holiday in peace? Hmm.